Greece’s economic rebound and tight fiscal discipline are drawing fresh praise in Europe, with the Italian daily Il Foglio portraying the country as a model for stable public finances.
In an article titled “Lessons from Athens,” the newspaper said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has overseen policies that have strengthened the economy without choking growth.
It said Greece has managed to fund household relief measures while continuing to cut debt, a combination that has helped restore credibility after years of financial crisis.
The paper pointed to remarks by National Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, who also serves as Eurogroup president, saying Greece’s 2025 primary surplus reached 1.7 percent of gross domestic product.
That was well above the government’s original target of 0.6 percent and was confirmed by the Hellenic Statistical Authority and Eurostat, according to the report.
Il Foglio said the improved fiscal position allowed Mr. Mitsotakis to announce a 500 million euro support package without upsetting budget balance.
It described Greece’s recovery as the result of a deliberate strategy to rebuild trust in international markets and support long-term growth.
The newspaper also noted that Greece is now one of only five European countries with a budget surplus and said the economy is growing at about 2 percent.
It added that public debt fell by eight percentage points to 146 percent last year and is expected by the IMF to decline further this year, potentially moving below Italy’s debt ratio.